The Grammy-winning artiste Tyla has sparked heated reactions on Nigerian social media with the announcement of her upcoming APop world tour. The tour was initially scheduled to include a Lagos concert on December 22, alongside shows in Europe, North America, and South Africa. However, the backlash from some Nigerians over renewed reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa has led to the removal of Lagos from the tour schedule.

The controversy has revived long-standing tensions between both countries. Social media users have called for a boycott of the Lagos concert, with some arguing that entertainment should not be linked to diplomatic disputes. Public figures have also weighed in on the debate, with media personality Do2dtun questioning the promoters behind the planned Lagos show and activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore urging Nigerians to channel their frustrations toward political leaders rather than the artiste.

The promoters of the show have removed Lagos from the list of tour venues on the official ticketing platform, with the December 22 show no longer listed among the available dates. The updated schedule now lists only the remaining international stops, including performances across Europe, North America, and two South African shows in Cape Town on January 4 and Johannesburg on January 9.

It is unclear if the Lagos concert was cancelled permanently or if it could be rescheduled at a later date. The controversy surrounding Tyla's tour highlights ongoing tensions between Nigeria and South Africa over xenophobic attacks. In recent years, there have been several reported incidents of Nigerians being attacked in South Africa, leading to widespread outrage and calls for the government to take action.

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen if Tyla's management will reconsider the decision to remove Lagos from the tour schedule. For now, the focus remains on the ongoing tensions between Nigeria and South Africa.

The APop world tour is part of Tyla's highly successful music career, which has seen her collaborate with top artists from across Africa and beyond. However, the controversy surrounding the tour has overshadowed her music and highlighted the complex issues surrounding xenophobia and diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa.

As the situation unfolds, it is expected that the Nigerian government will be monitoring the situation closely. In recent years, there have been efforts to improve relations between the two countries, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Nigerian and South African governments to enhance trade and economic cooperation.

However, the ongoing xenophobic attacks have strained relations between the two countries, leading to a renewed call for action from the Nigerian government. The removal of Lagos from Tyla's tour schedule is seen as a blow to efforts to promote cultural exchange and understanding between the two nations.

The Grammy Awards have also been involved in promoting cultural exchange between the two countries, with several Nigerian artists being recognized in recent years. The APop world tour is part of a broader effort to promote music and cultural exchange between Africa and the world.

Key Facts:

  • December 22: Date initially scheduled for the Lagos concert
  • 4 January: Date for the first South African show in Cape Town
  • 9 January: Date for the second South African show in Johannesburg
  • 2026: Year the APop world tour is scheduled to take place
  • Tyla: South African Grammy-winning artiste promoting the APop world tour
  • Omoyele Sowore: Activist and former presidential candidate who has weighed in on the debate
  • Do2dtun: Media personality who has questioned the promoters behind the planned Lagos show